The Poetry Of Brian Faulkner

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Stephen, you have asked an excellent question. Unfortunately, my answer may come up short. This is a poem which I wrote rather quickly, giving little conscious thought to the structure. All that I knew was that when I was done was that it felt right. Looking over it now and trying to identify what I fleetingly thought as I wrote it, I would say the first stanza I regarded as an introduction. The second, being the main statement and motive, I gave it more thought, energy, and thus more time (lines). The third stanza is less important idea-wise and, paradoxically, though the fourth is more important than the third, the shortness of it_ acts to represent the swiftness of an express.

The concluding stanza, I must say, seems perfect to me-----the two short, excited lines being "in tune" with the thrill of an express ride, and the last two lines being of breathless surrender (this last is even more pronounced by means of the exact "rhyme"---feat, feet).

I'm sorry I can't say a whole lot more than that. As I was writing I did recognize that I was not keeping correct and orderly stanzas, but everything "felt" right. It still feels right. I like the variety of it, while at the same time it seems all of a piece, and it expresses what I still think and feel.

You didn't say, but how does it strike you?

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Stephen, you have asked an excellent question. Unfortunately, my answer may come up short. This is a poem which I wrote rather quickly, giving little conscious thought to the structure. All that I knew was that when I was done was that it felt right.

As I understand the creative writing process, one should feel free to do just what you describe. To give more freedom to your subconscious though, is earned by the conscious thinking that you do. Your description, upon reflection, seems to validate that you feel now what you felt then. But, I guess my question was more fundamental, by what conscious principles do we structure stanzas within a poem, and why? What general purpose is served by various structuring? Perhaps these questions are oriented more towards the esthetician, as opposed to the creative artist per se.

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Stephen, to answer your last question first, I am not in any sense a professional writer. As for the principles of stanza construction, perhaps Jason Rheins, who is to give a talk on poetry at this summer's conference, will have the answer. Or perhaps someone else on this forum. In the meantime, it's something I'll start investigating. Thank you for your questions.

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Here is one of the most light-hearted pieces I've ever written. The words and the original music came together as one; however, since I don't write music, that part stays in my head. As a poem it reads a little fast, but I think you will still find it enjoyable.

............................More............................

I was looking for someone to love more than anyone I'd ever loved before;

From the east to the west, from the north to the south,

.................................................from the mountains on out to each shore,

All around the world, yes, I did roam,

And now that I've found you, Dear, I have my home.

Home is here, where you are, in your presence so bright;

.................................................I think night is a thing of the past.

Even dawning is dimmer when your eyes are glittering------

.................................................actual DAY at last!

Yes, I've found you, Dear,

Have you, hold you, Dear,

And I will never want more.

You are thoroughly, wonderfully, happily, totally,

................................................all that I mean by "more"!

I was looking for someone to love;

Right here, not below or above;

In the world that I know with the sunlight aglow

.................................................on the circle of everything good.

And I knew I could find you, I could;

Oh, I could and I should and I would.

I'd never stop trying and peering and spying

.................................................until I had found you for good.

This poem was very beautiful and expresses my own romantic attitude, or hope. 8 years ago when I was 18, I knew that this was the right attitude. Back then if one wanted to meet a woman, one would go to a dance club. With my friends I was reluctant of this. I wanted to meet someone at school, or in a bookstore, or in a coffee shop, or that unusual place, and so clubs didn't attract me. Now I just talk to the person of interest on the subway, or coffee shop, or library.

At the library it's most interesting because the person is usually involved studying. If they are willing to stop studing for an hour, then that tells you something. Imagine walking down the street, seeing a young beauty, walk out of a townhouse, a beauty like which you have "never encountered", the instantaneous desire to know this person ... but suddenly the person begins to run as if late for some important appointment ... and you could not bare to wait around the house with hopes to see the person again--would you run after this person, and get on the same bus? Probably not but the idea is passionate.

The poem is about a man who is always on the alert with optimism--quite romantic.

Thanks,

Big Nosed Copper King.

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I'm glad "More" expresses your romantic attitude and that you enjoyed it. As for the beautiful woman coming out of the townhouse, yes, run! And if you miss the bus, be there a little earlier tomorrow, or be on that bus before it gets to "her" stop. Best wishes to you,

Brian

In a near-empty coffee-shop in Athens, Georgia a woman came in and sat at my table. We talked like old friends. Time disappeared.

I like this a lot! There have been many times when I thought that if only a phrase or even a word were changed here or there, many songs could be made much better.

Also, everyone gets lyrics wrong once in a while - I've noticed that, in most cases, the words I think are being sung are more rational than the actual ones. I fill in things that make sense to me and it works out that way.

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I like this a lot! There have been many times when I thought that if only a phrase or even a word were changed here or there, many songs could be made much better.

Also, everyone gets lyrics wrong once in a while - I've noticed that, in most cases, the words I think are being sung are more rational than the actual ones. I fill in things that make sense to me and it works out that way.

Yes, I, too, do that quite often. I once even changed "Jesus loves me, this I know..." to "Reason loves me, this I know, for my logic tells me so", when I was thinking about how bad ideas can get smuggled in through catchy tunes.